Didymodon leskeoides differs from D. rigidulus var. ditrichoides by the short and broadly decurrent leaf margins (the former has long and narrowly decurrent margins). It is easily distinguished from Hymenostylium recurvirostrum, with which it commonly occurs, by its usually olive or orange-brown tinge, as opposed to the green to yellow color of the latter. One collection (Northwest Territories: Scotter 22277, BUF) has unusually long stems, to 6 cm.